Apparatus, base station and methods allowing reliable wireless communication

ABSTRACT

An apparatus configured to operate in a wireless communication network by generating and transmitting a first wireless signal using a resource element allocated to the apparatus is configured to receive a second wireless signal and to determine that the second wireless signal is to be forwarded within the wireless communication network. The apparatus is configured to transmit a third wireless signal based on the second wireless signal instead of the first wireless signal using the allocated resource element of the wireless communication network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of copending InternationalApplication No. PCT/EP2018/066537, filed Jun. 21, 2018, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and additionallyclaims priority from European Application No. 17178873.0, filed Jun. 29,2017, which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For the new evolving micro-reliable and low latency communication, veryrobust communication for simultaneously transmitting vehicles in a veryshort transmission-end-delivery or a round-trip time (RTT), i.e.,assuming proper hand shaking, is to be guaranteed. This is not easilyachievable with current resource mapping, scheduling, standardcapabilities and the existing signaling of the three GPPstandardization, see, for example, 3GPP TS 38.321 and 3GPP TS 38.331.The main drawbacks of the current approaches are that:

-   -   1. Simultaneously talking vehicles are almost performing a        half-duplex communication. Therefore, if two vehicles        transmitted on the same time (even on different frequencies),        the two vehicle's user-equipment will not be able to decode        their intended messages.    -   2. Reliable communication uses a stable transmission channel or        a transmission allowing reliable hand shaking, i.e., via        retransmission, which might be difficult for the moving nature        of the cars or due to the problem as defined in 1.

Thus, there is a need for enhancing mobile communications.

SUMMARY

An embodiment may have an apparatus configured to operate in a wirelesscommunication network by generating and transmitting a first wirelesssignal using a re-source element allocated to the apparatus; wherein theapparatus is configured to receive a second wireless signal and todetermine that the second wireless signal is to be forwarded within thewireless communication network; wherein the apparatus is configured totransmit a third wireless signal based on the second wireless signalinstead of the first wireless signal using the allocated resourceelement of the wireless communication network.

Another embodiment may have an apparatus configured to operate in awireless communication network by generating and transmitting a firstwireless signal using a resource element allocated to the apparatus;wherein the apparatus is configured to generate and transmit a signalindicating a request that the first wireless signal is to be forwardedby a receiving node that is different from the intended receiver of thefirst wireless signal.

Another embodiment may have a base station configured to operate awireless communication network cell by allocating resource elements toan apparatus operated by the base station, wherein the base station isconfigured to receive, from an apparatus a request for a first amount ofresource elements for own communication; wherein the base station isconfigured to allocate, to the apparatus, a second amount of resourceelements, wherein the second amount is higher when compared to the firstamount; and wherein the base station is configured to feedback thesecond amount to the apparatus.

According to another embodiment, a wireless network may have: at leastone inventive apparatus as mentioned above; at least a first transmitterconfigured to transmit a first message using a resource element and asecond transmitter configured to transmit a second message using theresource element; wherein the apparatus is configured to receive thefirst message as the second wireless signal and to transmit the firstmessage as the third wireless signal using a different resource element.

Another embodiment may have a method for operating an apparatusconfigured to operate in a wireless communication network by generatingand transmitting a first wireless signal using a resource elementallocated to the apparatus, the method having the steps of: determiningthat the second wireless signal is to be forwarded within the wirelesscommunication network using a received second wireless signal;transmitting a third wireless signal based on the second wireless signalinstead of the first wireless signal using the allocated resourceelement of the wireless communication network.

Still another embodiment may have a method for operating an apparatusconfigured to operate in a wireless communication network by generatingand transmitting a first wireless signal using a resource elementallocated to the apparatus, the method having the steps of: generatingand transmitting a sidelink signal through a sidelink channel of thewire-less communication network, the sidelink signal indicating arequest that the first wireless signal is to be forwarded by a receivingnode that is different from the intended receiver of the first wirelesssignal.

Another embodiment may have a method for operating a base stationconfigured to operate a wireless communication network cell byallocating resource elements to an apparatus operated by the basestation, the method having the steps of: receiving, from an apparatus, arequest for a first amount of resource elements for own communication;allocating, to the apparatus, a second amount of resource elements,wherein the second amount is higher when compared to the first amount;and feedbacking the second amount to the apparatus.

Another embodiment may have a non-transitory digital storage mediumhaving stored thereon a program for performing a method for operating anapparatus configured to operate in a wireless communication network bygenerating and transmitting a first wireless signal using a resourceelement allocated to the apparatus, the method having the steps of:determining that the second wireless signal is to be forwarded withinthe wireless communication network using a received second wirelesssignal; transmitting a third wireless signal based on the secondwireless signal instead of the first wireless signal using the allocatedresource element of the wireless communication network, when saidcomputer program is run by a computer.

Another embodiment may have a non-transitory digital storage mediumhaving stored thereon a program for performing a method for operating anapparatus configured to operate in a wireless communication network bygenerating and transmitting a first wireless signal using a resourceelement allocated to the apparatus, the method having the steps of:generating and transmitting a sidelink signal through a sidelink channelof the wireless communication network, the sidelink signal indicating arequest that the first wireless signal is to be forwarded by a receivingnode that is different from the intended receiver of the first wirelesssignal, when said computer program is run by a computer.

Another embodiment may have a non-transitory digital storage mediumhaving stored thereon a program for performing a method for operating abase station configured to operate a wireless communication network cellby allocating resource elements to an apparatus operated by the basestation, the method having the steps of: receiving, from an apparatus, arequest for a first amount of resource elements for own communication;allocating, to the apparatus, a second amount of resource elements,wherein the second amount is higher when compared to the first amount;and feedbacking the second amount to the apparatus, when said computerprogram is run by a computer.

The inventors have found that wireless communication may be enhanced byallowing for a high reliability of wireless communication and that sucha high reliability may be obtained by assigning more resources thanrequested to a communicating apparatus and/or by introducing aprioritization for message forwarding.

According to an embodiment, an apparatus is configured to operate in awireless communication network by generating and transmitting a firstwireless signal using a resource element allocated to the apparatus. Theapparatus is configured to receive a second wireless signal anddetermine that the second wireless signal is to be forwarded within thewireless communication network. The apparatus is configured to transmita third wireless signal based on the second wireless signal instead ofthe first wireless signal using the allocated resource element of thewireless communication network. This allows information contained in thesecond wireless signal to be forwarded with a high reliability as theapparatus advantageously transmits the third wireless signal whencompared to the first wireless signal. Such a de-centralizedprioritization allows for a reliable communication in view of forwardingthe second signal.

According to an embodiment, an apparatus is configured to operate in awireless communication network by generating and transmitting a firstwireless signal using a resource element allocated to the apparatus. Theapparatus is configured to generate and transmit a signal indicating arequest that the first wireless signal is to be forwarded by a receivingnode that is different from the intended receiver of the first wirelesssignal. The signal may be transmitted via a so-called side channelallowing for a signaling that the first wireless signal is requested tobe forwarded when being received by nodes being not the intendedreceiver. This allows for a reliable communication as the message may bereceived from the transmitting apparatus but also from the forwardingapparatus.

According to an embodiment, a base station is configured to operate awireless communication network by allocating resource elements to anapparatus operated by the base station. The base station is configuredto receive a request for a first amount of resource elements from anapparatus which thereby indicates an amount of resources used for itsown communication. The base station is configured to allocate, to theapparatus, a second amount of resource element, wherein the secondamount is higher when compared to the first amount. The base station isconfigured to feedback the second amount to the apparatus. This allowsfor a reliable communication as the apparatus may use the requestedresources for its own communication and may use the additional resourcescontained in the second amount for other purposes such as forwardingmessages from other apparatuses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in furtherdetail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an example of a networkinfrastructure described in connection with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary LTE OFDMA-based subframe with two antennaports for different selected Tx antenna ports;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of the apparatus 106 according toan embodiment;

FIG. 4a shows a schematic block diagram representing a decoded signalbefore transmitting a signal according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4b shows a schematic block diagram presenting details of thedecoded signal of FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 4c shows a schematic block diagram of an example structure of thedecoded signal according to an embodiment, having a field comprising aCRC information and having a further field comprising extra-CRC messagebits;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of at least a part of a networkstructure according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of a base station and anapparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7a shows a schematic block diagram of at least a part of a networkarchitecture in which three apparatuses are served by the base stationaccording to an embodiment in a first time interval;

FIG. 7b shows a schematic block diagram of the part of the networkarchitecture according to FIG. 7a in a following second time interval;

FIG. 8 shows a TX-RX resource pool sharing a critical messagetransmission/relaying according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows a timeline for the scenario of FIG. 8 according to anembodiment;

FIG. 10 shows different signaling information messages and a singlesignal identification concept according to embodiments; and

FIG. 11 shows a schematic block diagram illustrating a transmission ofsignaling information of FIG. 10 according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Equal or equivalent elements or elements with equal or equivalentfunctionality are denoted in the following description by equal orequivalent reference numerals even if occurring in different figures.

Descriptions provided herein relating to an apparatus may relate tovarious kinds of apparatuses. For example, the apparatus may be a userequipment. Such a user equipment may be attached to a further apparatussuch as a car, a drone, other flying objects or a different mobile set.Alternatively or in addition, the apparatus may also be a part of suchan apparatus and may therefore be itself a mobile set, a car apparatusor any other apparatus configured for performing a device-to-device(D2D) communication, an internet-of-things (IoT) device and a road-sideunit. Road-side units may be regarded an apparatus or a base station andmay be mounted near to travel parts of devices to be serviced withmobile communication.

In the following description, a plurality of details is set forth toprovide a more thorough explanation of embodiments of the presentinvention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatthose embodiments of the present invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details. In other instances, well-known structures anddevices are shown in block diagram form rather than in detail in orderto avoid obscuring embodiments of the present invention. In addition,features of the different embodiments described hereinafter may becombined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

Embodiments described herein relate to wireless communications and tothe field of using resources in wireless communications network.Although some embodiments described herein are explained in light or along-term evolution (LTE) standard, the teachings disclosed herein maybe used without any limitation in other fields of wirelesscommunications such as 5G, new radio or the like.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an example of a networkinfrastructure described in connection with embodiments of the presentinvention. The network infrastructure may be a wireless communicationssystem including a plurality of base stations 108 ₁ to 108 ₅ alsodenoted as eNB₁ to eNB₅, each serving a specific area surrounding thebase station schematically represented by the respective cells 100 ₁ to100 ₅. The base stations are provided to serve users within a cell. Auser may be a stationary device or a mobile device. Further, thewireless communication system may be accessed by IoT devices whichconnect to a base station or to a user. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary viewof only five cells, however, the wireless communication system mayinclude more such cells. FIG. 1 shows two users 106 ₁ and 106 ₂, alsodenoted as UE₁ and UE₂, also referred to as user equipment (UE), thatare in cell 100 ₂ and that are served by base station eNB₂. Another user106 ₃ (UE₃) is shown in cell 100 ₄ which is served by base station eNB₄.The arrows 100 ₂, 102 ₂ and 102 ₃ schematically representuplink/downlink connections for transmitting data from a user UE₁, UE₂and UE₃ to the base stations eNB₂, eNB₄ or for transmitting data fromthe base stations eNB₂, eNB₄ to the users UE₁, UE₂, UE₃. Further, FIG. 1shows two IoT devices 104 ₁ and 104 ₂ in cell 100 ₄, which may bestationary or mobile devices. The IoT device 104 ₁ accesses the wirelesscommunication system via the base station eNB4 to receive and transmitdata as schematically represented by arrow 105 ₁. The IoT device 104 ₂accesses the wireless communication system via the user UE₃ as isschematically represented by arrow 105 ₂. UE₁, UE₂ and UE₃ may accessthe wireless communications system or network by communicating with thebase station.

As will be described later in more detail, each other the UEs 106 ₁ to106 ₃ may be an apparatus according to embodiments. Alternatively or inaddition, also the IoT devices 104 ₁ and 104 ₂ may be an apparatusaccording to embodiments described herein. Each of the apparatuses maybe a stationary apparatus but may also be a mobile apparatus.

The wireless communications network system may be any single-tone ormulticarrier system based on frequency-division multiplexing, like theorthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) system, the orthogonalfrequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) system defined by the LTEstandard, or any other IFFT-based signal with or without CP, e.g.DFT-SOFDM. Other waveforms, like non-orthogonal waveforms for multipleaccess, e.g. filterbank multicarrier (FBMC), may be used. Othermultiplexing schemes like time-division multiplexing (time-divisionduplex—TDD) may be used.

An OFDMA system for data transmission may include an OFDMA-basedphysical resource grid which comprises plurality of physical resourceblocks (PRBs) each defined by 12 subcarriers by 7 OFDM symbols andincluding a set of resource elements to which various physical channelsand physical signals are mapped. A resource element is made up of onesymbol in the time domain and one subcarrier in the frequency domain.For example, in accordance with the LTE standard a system bandwidth of1.4 MHz includes 6 PRBs, and the 200 kHz bandwidth in accordance withthe NB-IoT enhancement of the LTE Rel. 13 standard includes 1 PRB. Inaccordance with LTE and NB-IoT, the physical channels may include thephysical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) including user specific data,also referred to as downlink payload data, the physical broadcastchannel (PBCH) including for example the master information block (MIB)or the system information block (SIB), the physical downlink controlchannel (PDCCH) including for example the downlink control information(DCI), etc. The physical signals may comprise reference signals (RS),synchronization signals and the like. The LTE resource grid comprises a10 ms frame in the time domain having a certain bandwidth in thefrequency domain, e.g. 1.4 MHz. The frame has 10 subframes of 1 mslength, and each subframe includes two slots of 6 or 7 OFDM symbolsdepending on the cyclic prefix (CP) length.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary LTE OFDMA-based subframe with two antennaports for different selected Tx antenna ports. The subframe includes tworesource blocks (RB) each made up of one slot of the subframe and 12subcarriers in the frequency domain. The subcarriers in the frequencydomain are shown as subcarrier 0 to subcarrier 11, and in the timedomain, each slot includes 7 OFDM symbols, e.g. in the slot 0 OFDMsymbols 0 to 6 and in slot 1 OFDM symbols 7 to 13. The white boxes 107represent resource elements allocated to the PDSCH including the payloador user data, also referred to a payload region. The resource elementsfor the physical control channels (including non-payload or non-userdata), also referred to the control region, are represented by thehatched boxes 103. In accordance with examples, resource elements 103may be allocated to the PDCCH, to the physical control format indicatorchannel (PCFICH), and to the physical hybrid ARQ indicator channel(PHICH). The cross-hatched boxes 107 represent resource elements whichare allocated to the RS that may be used for the channel estimation. Theblack boxes 109 represent unused resources in the current antenna portthat may correspond to RSs in another antenna port. The resourceelements 103, 107, 109 allocated to the physical control channels and tothe physical reference signals are not evenly distributed over time.More specifically, in slot 0 of the subframe the resource elementsassociated with the symbol 0 and the symbol 1 are allocated to thephysical control channels or to the physical reference signals, noresource elements in the symbols 0 and 1 are allocated to payload data.The resource elements associated with symbol 4 in slot 0 as well as theresource elements associated with symbols 7 and 11 in slot 1 of thesubframe are allocated in part to the physical control channels or tothe physical reference signals. The white resource elements shown inFIG. 2 may include symbols associated with payload data or user data andin the slot 0 for symbols 2, 3, 5 and 6, all resource elements 107 maybe allocated to payload data, while less resource elements 107 areallocated to payload data in symbol 4 of slot 0, and no resource elementis allocated to payload data in symbols 0 and 1. In slot 1, the resourceelements associated with symbols 8, 9, 10, 12 and 13 are all allocatedto payload data, while for symbols 7 and 11 less resource elements areallocated to payload data.

Each of the resource elements 107 may be allocated to a specificapparatus for communication. The apparatus may use the allocatedresource element for its communication. Alternatively, the coordinatorsas a base station may also define a pool of resource element 107 and mayallow a use of those resource elements within the pool for specialpurposes. The base station may allow the use of the pool of resourcesvia a ground-free axis or via a ground-based axis. The pool of resourcesmay be allocated to one or more apparatuses such that the one or moreapparatuses may commonly use the pool of resources. The base station maydefine none of such pools but may also define one or more pools. Bynon-limiting examples, the base station may define a first pool havingresource elements 107 a and a second pool having a different number ofresource elements 107 b, both belonging to the resource elements 107.The pools may have a same or different size with respect to the amountof resources and may be adapted over time. In connection withembodiments described herein, the pool 107 a or 107 b may be allocatedto one or more apparatuses so as to be used for forwarding messages.I.e., when an apparatus receives a signal to be forwarded, then it mayuse the additional resources indicated in the respective pool 107 a or107 b.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of the apparatus 106 according toan embodiment. Also referring to the apparatus 106, the descriptiongiven herein may also relate to the apparatus 104.

The apparatus 106 may be configured to operate in a wirelesscommunication network such as the network illustrated in FIG. 1. Theapparatus 106 is configured for generating and transmitting a wirelesssignal using a resource element allocated to the apparatus, for example,one of the resource elements 107 described in connection with FIG. 2.For transmitting the wireless signal, the apparatus 106 may beconfigured for applying an information signal 122 to an antennaarrangement 124 being configured for transmitting wireless signals. Theapparatus 106 is configured to receive a wireless signal 126 and todetermine that the second wireless signal is to be forwarded within thewireless communication network. The apparatus 106 is configured totransmit a wireless signal 128 which is based on the wireless signal 126instead of the information signal 122 using the allocated resourceelement of the wireless communication network. I.e., the apparatus 106may be configured for skipping, interrupting or delaying thetransmission of a wireless signal being based on the information signal122 but may advantageously transmit the wireless signal 128 being basedon the received wireless signal 126. This may be understood as thewireless signal 126 having a higher priority when compared to theinformation signal 122.

For determining that the wireless signal 126 has the higher priority,the apparatus may be configured to evaluate a priority value of thewireless signal 126. The apparatus 106 may be configured to transmit thewireless signal 128 instead of a wireless signal being based on theinformation signal 122 depending on the priority value being higher thanor equal to a priority threshold value. The apparatus 106 may receiveinformation relating to the priority value of the wireless signal 126 byevaluating the wireless signal 126 and/or by receiving a respectiveinformation, for example, by receiving a message through a physicalsidelink control channel (PSCCH) of the wireless communication, themessage containing a critical level field, i.e., a field or sectioncontaining a respective information indicating the priority value.Alternatively or in addition, the apparatus 106 may be configured fordecoding the wireless signal 126 and for evaluating a critical levelfield within the decoded signal 126.

Alternatively or in addition, the apparatus 106 may evaluate a sidelinkredundancy field within the wireless signal 126. This sidelinkredundancy field may either be an additional field when compared toknown sidelink redundancy check (CRC) fields and/or an amended versionthereof containing information indicating a priority. Alternatively orin addition, the wireless signal 126 may comprise, may be accompanied byor may be associated with a pilot signal having a pilot pattern, forexample, pilot symbols being transmitted as part of the wireless signal126. The apparatus 106 may be configured for evaluating the pilotpattern and for determining the priority value based on the pilotpattern. To be more specific, when the apparatus 106 is configured forevaluating a sidelink redundancy information, the apparatus 106 may beconfigured for evaluating a relationship between a content of a sidelinkredundancy message associated with the second wireless signal 126, e.g.,a part or field thereof, and a data content of the second wirelesssignal and/or by evaluating bits attached to the sidelink redundancymessage.

In other words, when compared to known CRC messages, a fixedmodification to those CRC messages may be contained in the wirelesssignal 126 or extra CRC message bits may be contained therein. This mayentail full decoding of the received message codeword by the apparatus106.

According to an embodiment in which the apparatus is configured toevaluate the pilot pattern of a pilot signal associated with thewireless signal 126, the apparatus 106 may be configured to associate afirst pilot pattern with a signal that comprises the priority valuebeing higher than or equal to the priority threshold and to associate asecond pilot pattern with a signal that comprises the priority valuebeing lower than the priority threshold. According to one embodiment,this may be a binary decision, i.e., the wireless signal 126 may beidentified as having at least the priority threshold value when having apredetermined pilot pattern and has remaining unprioritized, if thepilot pattern is different therefrom. Alternatively, different pilotpatterns may be associated with different priority values which may besorted or ranked against each other allowing for deciding which messagehas to be forwarded amongst a plurality of wireless signals 126 and/orto decide an order or sequence of messages to be forwarded, e.g.,according to a sorted priority list.

For example, pilot patterns to be categorized differently may varycomplimentarily with respect to each other. For example, the pilotpatterns may be represented by a complex valued representation. Thosecomplex valued representations may vary complimentarily with respect toeach other, for example, a critical pilot pattern to be prioritizedaccording the A=1+j, 1−j, −1+j, −1−j, . . . and a non-critical pilotpattern has a conjugate of A and according to 1−j, 1+j, −1−j, −1+j, . .. . Thereby, the pilot pattern may be able to indicate criticalmessages. This can be done by inserting certain pilot patterns (complexIQ values) that indicate certain patterns. Other patterns as the onesdescribed may be used without any limitation. The apparatus 106 maycomprise a processor 132, for example, a microcontroller, a fieldprogrammable gateway (FPGA), a central processing unit or the like,which is configured for generating the wireless signal 128 based on thewireless signal 126. In view of the data content of the wireless signal128 and the wireless signal 126, both wireless signals may coincide witheach other. For example, the processor 132 may simply retransmit thewireless signal 126. According to an embodiment, the processor 132 maydecode and modify the wireless signal 126 before generating the wirelesssignal 128. An example for a modification may be that the relayingapparatus, i.e., the relaying vehicle or device, changes the signalingto indicate the retransmission event, i.e., to incorporate therespective information into the wireless signal 128 that the wirelesssignal 126 is retransmitted, to decrement a time to live (TTL) counterof the wireless signal 126 and/or a priority level indicated in thewireless signal 126, which may be reduced, the more often the signal isretransmitted. For modifying the wireless signal 126, a decoding of thewireless signal may be performed by the processor 132.

A decoding of the wireless signal 126 allows, alternatively or inaddition, to decide that the wireless signal 126 is discarded instead offorwarded although a forwarding is requested. The apparatus 106 may beconfigured to discard the wireless signal 126 from forwarding byevaluating the TTL counter/indicator of the wireless signal 126. In acase where the processor 132 determines that the TTL counter is 0 or isreduced to 0, the processor 132 may discard the wireless signal 126.Alternatively or in addition, the processor 132 may evaluate a priorityvalue of the wireless signal 126. If the priority value is lower than apredetermined threshold value or is reduced below the predeterminedthreshold value, the processor 132 may decide to discard the wirelesssignal 126. Alternatively or in addition, the processor 132 may evaluatethe decoded wireless signal 126, for example, by performing a bit arrowdetection, a bit arrow correction and/or plausibility checks. In a casewhere the processor 132 determines that the wireless signal 126 wasdecoded incorrectly and may therefore not be retransmitted correctly,the processor 132 may decide to discard the wireless signal 126 frombeing forwarded. In other words, the relaying vehicle or device maydecide to stop relaying a critical message, e.g., if

-   -   1. The message TTL counter is decremented to 0;    -   2. If the priority is lower than the priority of the relaying        vehicle's own messages.    -   3. If the message is decoded incorrectly or alternatively, if        messages are received with a lower sensibility than an accepted        sensibility.

In other words, the wireless signal 128 may be the wireless signal 126or a modified version thereof. Although embodiments described herein arealready described in connection with cancelling a transmission of awireless signal being based on the information signal 122, theembodiments described herein are not limited hereto. The apparatus 106may be configured for transmitting a wireless signal 134 being based onthe information signal 122. Instead of using the originally allocatedresource element, the apparatus 106 may use a different resourceelement, i.e., a different code, a different time, a different frequencyband and/or a different space resource for transmitting the wirelesssignal 134. I.e., the allocated resource element may be one of a timeslots, a frequency range, a code and/or a space into which the wirelesssignal is transmitted. According to an embodiment, the apparatus 106 isconfigured to transmit the wireless signal 128 using the resourceelement which has been allocated for transmitting the wireless signal134. The apparatus 106 may be configured for scheduling a transmissionof the wireless signal 134 for a subsequent resource element allocatedto the apparatus 106, wherein this subsequent resource element mayalready be allocated to the apparatus or may be allocated in the future.

The described functionality of performing a forwarding of externalsignals whilst privileging them when compared to own signals may be anoperating mode of the apparatus 106 being implemented permanently butmay also be an operating mode which is triggered or controlled by a basestation transmitting a control signal 136 to the apparatus 106. Thecontrol signal 136 may be a broadcast signal or may be transmitted tothe apparatus 126 individually, allowing to control all apparatuseswithin the wireless network or wireless network commonly or,alternatively, the apparatus 126 individually. The base stationtransmitting the control signal 136 may thereby control the apparatus106 so as to time-selectively operate in a first operation mode in whichthe apparatus is configured to forward the wireless signal 126 insteadof the own wireless signal 134 using the allocated resource element ofthe wireless communication network, and a second operation mode in whichthe apparatus 106 is configured to transmit the own wireless signal 134using the allocated resource element, i.e., to not privilege thewireless signal 126.

For receiving the wireless signal 126 and for transmitting the wirelesssignals 128 and/or 134, the apparatus 106 may comprise separate antennaarrangement 124 but may also use a combined or single antennaarrangement, wherein each antenna arrangement may comprise one or moreantenna elements.

FIG. 4a shows a schematic block diagram representing a decoded signal138, which may be obtained, for example, when decoding the wirelesssignal 126 and/or before transmitting a signal as a wireless signal suchas the wireless signal 128. The decoded signal 138 may comprise aplurality of fields 142, wherein each field may comprise one or moreinformation portions. For example, one of the fields 142 may comprise aninformation indicating a priority of the signal. Another field 142 maycomprise a CRC information. Another field 142 may comprise a pilotinformation or a pilot pattern. The apparatus 106 may be configured forevaluating information contained in other fields 142 for deciding ordetermining actions to be performed.

FIG. 4b shows a schematic block diagram of the decoded signal 138 whichis, for example, the decoded version of the wireless signal 126. FIG. 4bfurther shows a schematic block diagram of an example structure of theinformation signal 122 which also comprises fields 142 being indicatedas 142 b, i.e., their content and/or structure may differ when comparedto the fields 142 a of the decoded signal 138. Further, a number offields I of the decoded signal 138 may vary when compared to a number Kof fields of the information signal 122, wherein alternatively also asame number of fields may be present. By way of example, the fields 142a ₂ and 142 b ₃ may contain a priority information x, y, respectively.The apparatus 106 may be configured for comparing the priorityinformation and for determining, which of the priorities has a higherpriority class and may transmit the wireless signal with the higherpriority class first. The apparatus 106 may be configured to receive apriority list indicating a priority threshold value indicating when toprivileging a signal to be forwarded against an own signal. I.e., theapparatus 106 may receive information indicating which priority is highenough for privileging. Privileging may be based on a comparison againstan own priority but is not required to. I.e., the information signal 122may also be present without a priority information. The priority listindicating a priority threshold value indicating when to privileging asignal to be forwarded against an own signal may be transmitted by abase station according to an embodiment to the apparatus 106.

FIG. 4c shows a schematic block diagram of an example structure of thedecoded signal 138 in which a field such as the field 142 ₂ comprises aCRC information and in which a further field such as the field 142 _(I)comprises extra-CRC message bits. The fields 142 ₂ and/or 142 _(I) maybe any fields within the decoded signal 138 and may form a combinedfield. The description provided in connection with the apparatus 106 maybe referred to as a communication, probably between vehicles, i.e.,vehicle-to-vehicle—V2V—and a V2V relaying for better reliability andtransmission coverage of critical messages transmission betweencritically communication paths/partners.

In the content of V2X, i.e., vehicle-to-anything, it may be an object toachieve 2 ms maximum delay and reliability of at least 99.999%. This isvery difficult for fast-moving cars and proximity service in harsh,dynamically changing environment. Even though two vehicles might be inurgent need to deliver a critical nature message about the roadsituation, critical information about expected accidents, criticalposition information for autonomous driving, fatal pedestrian suddenchanges, etc. Hence, it may be mandatory to build communication that mayachieve a shortened transmission time interval (time-slot) that may goto times of less than 1/10 ms in legacy wireless standards and even muchless for new radio numerologies. Embodiments provide for naturalconcepts that allow transmission of critical messages from one vehicleto another vehicle, from the base station (BS)/a roadside unit (RSU) toa vehicle and/or vice versa. Hence, once the critical message arrives toa vehicle defined as a relay-UE (e.g., by BS or RSU throughconfiguration signaling, i.e., control signal or also referred to asSI2), it may append/concatenate/insert in the signaling field/PSCCH(physical-sidelink control channel) to the proper signaling for criticalmessage identification and transmit on the earliest transmission (TX)opportunity possible. The relay-UE will know the criticality of themessage after decoding the signaling field and/or the reference pilotpatterns and/or any other critical indication mechanism.

Hence, in this case, e.g., a vehicle or multiple vehicles will transmita single or a plurality of critical messages to other vehicles or RSU orBS or to all of them if they are reachable. This does not preclude adifferent representation of TX/RX (reception) bands and technologies. Insuch a scenario, the intended vehicle(s) or RSU are not transmitting onthe same instant, they will not miss the critical transmitted frame(s).If the intended vehicle(s) or RSU are also transmitting on the sameinstant, other relays may transmit on other transmission instants toconsolidate the same behaviour of the first relay(s) which failed toconsolidate message transmission to the intended user/RSUs.

As a solution to the proposed scenario where other devices or vehiclesmonitoring this transmission events on their receivers can simplyidentify the critical messages from signaling (entails decoding) orearly detect the messages from the content, e.g., reference symbols (RS)pattern or structure as described herein.

Once the message is recorded at the receiving devices or vehicles, theyare able to prioritize this critical transmission over their owntransmission. Another option is that every device is also receiving someover-provisioned resources, i.e., not all the resources allocated to thedevice are consumed by the device to cover its own transmission. Suchembodiments are described by further embodiments of the presentinvention but may also be combined with embodiments relating toprioritizing the messages.

In the case of over-provisioning resources, every device or vehicleintended to relay the critical message has to wait until a completetime-slot is received. The earliest possible transmission instant may bethe next time-slot (the earliest time-slot after receiving the criticalmessage). If decoding is not important and the message was detectedearly, e.g., by utilizing the RS pattern, discrete, possiblyregenerated, quadrature (IQ) samples may be relayed to the air. Ifdecoding is supported, only correctly receiving devices or vehicles areable to relay the message. The fastest event will be after anothertime-slot. However, if the time-slots are much shorter than the 1 ms, aminimum end-2-end delay is in the order of 1-2 ms consolidate is stillpossible with multiple spontaneous relaying.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of at least a part of a networkstructure comprising the base station 108 and an apparatus 144 accordingto an embodiment, wherein the apparatus 144 may also be the apparatus106. Thereby, the explanation given in connection with the apparatus 144may also be combined with the explanation given in connection with theapparatus 106 and/or 104. The apparatus 144 may be a vehicle capable ofcommunicating within a wireless communication network and/or a userequipment connected to a vehicle. Alternatively, any other configurationof communicating devices may be implemented.

The apparatus 144 may be configured for transmitting a request signal146 to the base station 108 indicating an amount a of requestedresources, i.e., indicating resource elements that are used for owncommunication. The apparatus 144 is configured for receiving a feedback148, i.e., an allocation signal, from the base station 108. The feedbackmay indicate an amount c of resource elements that are actuallyallocated to the apparatus 144. The amount c may differ from therequested amount in that the allocated amount c is higher when comparedto the requested amount a. I.e., the apparatus 144 is allocated with therequested amount a and with an additional amount b, wherein a+b=c. Thus,the base station 108 is configured to allocate, to the apparatus 144,the amount c of resource elements, and is configured to feedback thesecond amount c to the apparatus 144.

The base station 108 may use a downlink control channel of the wirelesscommunication network cell between the base station and the apparatus144 or a sidelink control channel of the wireless communication networkcell between apparatuses within the wireless communication network cellfor signaling the second amount c to the apparatus 144. I.e., the basestation may be able to transmit and receive in sidelink domains, e.g.,using the sidelink control channel.

After having received the feedback 148, the apparatus 144 has knowledgethat it has additional resources available for further purposes. Anexample for such a further purpose is a forwarding of messages, i.e.,high-priority messages as described in connection with the apparatus106. I.e., when receiving the wireless signal 126 being described inconnection with FIG. 3, the apparatus 106 may either use one of theadditional resources contained in the additional amount b or one of theinitially requested and allocated resource elements in the amount a. forexample, the apparatus 106 or 144 may use the earliest availableresource element within the amount c. This may lead to a re-schedulingof the transmission of the information signal 122, the wireless signal134, respectively, from the initially scheduled resource element to afollowing resource element which may be a part of the additional amountb. I.e., the apparatus 144 may be configured to negotiate with the basestation 108 an amount of resource elements a to be allocated to theapparatus 144 for data communication. The apparatus may be configured todisregard during the negotiation an additional amount of resourceelements finally allocated to the apparatus, a, it may negotiate theamount a without knowledge or without considering the amount b. Afterthe negotiation, the finally allocated amount of resource elements c mayexceed the requested amount a of resource elements.

As described in connection with FIG. 2, the additional resources b maybe a pool of resources, for example, comprising the resource elements107 a or 107 b and/or a combination thereof. The pool of resources maybe available for a plurality of apparatuses being adapted or controlledso as to forward wireless signals. Within the available resourceelements of the amounts b or c, the apparatus 144 may select a resourceelement for forwarding wireless signals comprising a minimum time delaywith respect to a time of reception of the wireless signal to beforwarded. The pool of additional resources may be ground-free or may begrounded by the base station 108 operating a cell of the wirelesscommunication network in which the apparatus is operated.

The apparatus 144 may monitor one or more parameters in connection withforwarding of a wireless signals. Such a parameter may be, for example,information indicating a number and/or a frequency of an occurrence ofretransmission events, i.e., a reception of wireless signals 126,information indicating retransmission event locations, i.e., locationsindicating a transmitter of the wireless signal 126 or the reception ofsuch a signal, information indicating a retransmission rate, informationindicating retransmitted packet lengths, information indicating areceived time-to-live information of the wireless signal 126 and/orinformation indicating a criticality level of a quality of serviceindicated within the wireless signal 126.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of the base station 106 and theapparatus 144. The apparatus 144 may be configured for transmitting areporting signal 152 to the base station 108. The reporting signal 152may comprise information monitored by the apparatus 144 in connectionwith the above-indicated information. I.e., the apparatus 144 mayprovide the monitored information to the base station 108. Alternativelyor in addition, the apparatus 144 may be configured for providing themonitor information to a centralized controller. This may allow the basestation and/or the centralized controller to determine parameters thatallow adapting the network controlling in further time intervals, forexample, in view of the allocation of additional resources, i.e., theamount b. Such determined information may be, for example, a maximumutilization of the allocated resources or an allocated resource pool, alocation or a plurality of locations at which a high amount ofretransmissions occur and/or retransmission time events and/or acriticality level over an area within the wireless communicationnetwork. Alternatively or in addition, the apparatus 144 may determinesuch parameters on its own in connection with the monitored information.The apparatus 144 may report such determined parameters to the basestation 108.

The determined results may be used by the base station 108 such that thebase station 108 is not only configured to negotiate, with the apparatus144, the first amount a dependent on a resource requirement of theapparatus, including to administrate the first amount a fortransmissions of the apparatus 144, but also to allocate, to theapparatus 144, the additional resource elements b for the purpose offorwarding messages in the networks. The base station 108 may determinethe second amount b. The base station may be configured to adapt theamount b of the additional resource elements dependent on an amount offorwarding messages in the network. I.e., in a case where the amount ofmessages to be forwarded increases, the amount b may be increased by thebase station 108. On the contrary, when the amount of messages to beforwarded decreases, then the amount b may be decreased by the basestation 108.

The base station 108 and/or the centralized controller may be configuredfor receiving the wireless signal 152 comprising information indicatingthat the second amount b and/or a portion thereof is used for forwardinga plurality of wireless signals. In addition, the monitored and/ordetermined parameters may be transmitted. The base station may receivesuch information from one or more apparatuses and may be configured todetermine at least one of a maximum utilization of allocated resourcesor an allocated resource pool, one or more highly retransmissionlocations and/or retransmission time events, a criticality level over anarea within the wireless communication network, a suitable resourceoverprovisioning around the clock and/or for different zonal accesses, aneed to activate or deactivate retransmission and/or critical zone toupdate vehicles speed around the clock. The base station and/or thecentralized controller may perform a learning or deep-learning which mayalso be referred to as a machine learning, stochastic learning or thelike. Thereby, the base station and/or the centralized controller may beconfigured to perform an evaluation of the received information in thereporting signal 152 and to perform at least one of the deep-learnings,a machine learning or a stochastic learning using a result of theevaluation performed by the apparatus 144 or the base station 108 so asto adapt the second amount b.

In other words, a concept of retransmission deep-learning may relate toa concept according to which some, most or all of the vehicles/networknodes may keep a history of observed distribution of standardretransmissions or retransmissions of critical messages in order tolearn with context about certain situations/trends occurring. Accordingto embodiments, some, most or all of the UEs that perform retransmissionare able to get statistics of the retransmission history which mayinclude retransmission events, including time stamp and pointer to thedaily events, such as night, morning, rush hour or the like,retransmission event locations, e.g., for road analysis, aretransmission rate, a retransmitted packet length, retransmitted TTLand/or criticality level and quality of service (QoS) information. Thenetwork nodes, in particular RSUs and BS(s) if they are not involved intransmitting to any device during the dedicated resource poolsub-frames/time-slot, may be adapted to monitor all critical messagesrequesting transmission or coming over-the-air due to a retransmissionand to keep said information. The network node may be configured forcollecting and/or monitoring the same information as collected by the UEand/or even more due to a collection of information from different UE.When regarding the UE, once the UE has all the proposed information, itcan perform a deep analysis, i.e., a deep learning (using greedyalgorithms or machine-learning), to analyse the situation over the road.Information can be used to support sufficiently utilized resourceallocation, i.e., for

-   -   identifying a maximum utilization of a resource pool (based on        the retransmission sizes, etc.)    -   identifying highly retransmission location and time events    -   criticality level over the road

Regarding the network nodes, the nodes can analyse the collectedinformation for the traffic situation analysis according to the roadpositions and day-time events. Also greedy algorithms ormachine-learning mechanism may be used to identify:

-   -   the suitable resource overprovisioning around the clock and for        different zonal access    -   identifying the need to activate or deactivate retransmission,        e.g., to reduce interference in rush hour where cars are slowly        moving    -   identifying the critical zones to update vehicles' speed around        the clock

Alternatively or in addition to the deep-learning of the messageforwarding, the message forwarding may be used for another advantageousfunctionality which may allow for upgrading the half-duplexcommunication of UEs to an almost full-duplex communication.

This may allow for obtaining a virtual full-duplex communication betweencritically communicating paths and/or partners.

FIG. 7a shows a schematic block diagram of at least a part of a networkarchitecture in which three apparatuses 154 ₁, 154 ₂ and 154 ₃ areserved by the base station 108. The apparatuses 154 ₁ to 154 ₃ may beconfigured as described in connection with the apparatuses 104, 106and/or 144. The apparatuses 154 ₂ and 154 ₃ may be configured fortransmitting a wireless signal 156 ₁, 156 ₂, respectively, wherein theapparatuses 154 ₂ and 154 ₃ may use same or different resource elements.The intended receiver of the apparatus 154 ₃ may also be the apparatus154 ₂ such that both apparatuses 154 ₂ and 154 ₃ are trying to transmitmessages to each other.

The wireless signal 156 ₁ is also received by the apparatus 154 ₁.Additionally, the apparatus 154 ₂ may transmit an indicator signal 158to the base station 108, for example, using a sidelink channel of thewireless communication network, such that the indicator signal 158 mayalso be referred to as a sidelink signal. The indicator signal 158 mayindicate a request that the signal 156 ₁ transmitted by the apparatus154 should be forwarded by nodes that are not the intended receiver ofthe wireless signal 156 ₁. Because of its own transmission, theapparatus 154 ₃ may be unable to receive and/or decode the wirelesssignal 156 ₁. Responsive to the indicator signal 158, the base station108 may instruct other apparatuses such as the apparatus 154 ₁ toretransmit messages. Alternatively or in addition, the indicator signal158 may also be received by the respective apparatus, e.g., theapparatus 154 ₁ which is instructed, responsive to the indicator signal158 for retransmission.

FIG. 7b shows a schematic block diagram of the part of the networkarchitecture according to FIG. 7a in a following time interval. Theapparatus 154 ₁ is configured to retransmit the received wireless signal156 ₁ as a retransmitted signal 162, e.g., the wireless signal 128.I.e., the apparatus 154 ₃ is configured to transmit the signal 156 ₂using a first resource element and to receive, using a second resourceelement, the wireless signal 162 being based on the wireless signal 156₁ that was sent by the apparatus 154 ₂ even if both apparatus 154 ₂ and154 ₃ have used a same resource element for transmission of the signals156 ₁ and 156 ₂. Thereby, a virtual full-duplex communication may beenabled. The retransmission appears sequentially to resolve theprobability that two users intending to talk to each other and theytransmission appears in the same time-slot. The apparatus 154 ₁ may beconfigured to receive the wireless signal 156 ₁ and to determine thatthis signal is to be forwarded within the wireless network. Theapparatus 154 ₁ may be configured to transmit the wireless signal 162based on the wireless signal 156 ₁ instead of an own signal using theallocated resource element, as described in connection with theapparatus 106.

I.e., in the network illustrate in FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b , the apparatus154 ₁ may act as the apparatus 106. The apparatus 154 ₂ and theapparatus 154 ₃ may each act as a transmitter configured to transmit amessage using a resource element which may be the same resource elementfor both transmitters. The apparatus 154 ₁ may be configured to receivethe message of the apparatus 154 ₂ and to transmit the message as themessage 162 using a different resource element. Each of the apparatuses154 ₁ to 154 ₃ may signal, to the base station 108, a requested amountof resource elements, as described in connection with FIG. 5. The basestation 108 may be configured to assign the second amount c of resourceelements to the apparatuses 154 ₁, 154 ₂ and/or 154 ₃ so as to allow aplurality of apparatuses to share common resource elements.

FIG. 8 shows a TX-RX resource pool sharing a critical messagetransmission/relaying in which R1 is a resource block used for sendingmessage 1 from car 1 and R2 is a resource block used for sending message2 from car 2 which is received by cars 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Intime-slot T2, car 3 transmits using resource block R3 and car 4transmits using resource block R4. Car 5 transmits in time-slot T4 usingresource block R7. Embodiments relating to relaying for enhancingvirtual full-duplex operation may be based on an assumption of havingtwo terminals, e.g., in vehicle 1 and vehicle 2, sending two criticalmessages to each other at exactly the same time-slot. Even though thevehicle 1 transmits on frequency block F1 and vehicle 2 transmits onfrequency block F2, the communication between the two vehicles ishalf-duplex transmission. The reason is that both terminals are dealingwith these frequency resources at this slot as their transmission pool,i.e., a TX-pool. In order to resolve this half-duplex problem betweensimultaneously links, embodiments provide for a relaying mechanism so asto deliver messages to the simultaneously communicating terminals. Thismay be done repeatedly until both terminals receive the messages. FIGS.8 and 9 again illustrate the concept. FIG. 8 illustrates the resourcepool designed for TX-RX resource pool, critical communication facing theworst case, i.e., for the half-duplex problem arising due to V2Xresource allocation, and three different relays which are allocated withoverprovisioned resources or prioritizing critical transmission ondifferent events. Further, in FIG. 8, there are also shown two eventswhere vehicles are either monitoring different subframes, i.e.,time-slots, as either a transmission pool or a receiver pool. The poolsmay be distributed by the base station according to their needs and/ortheir geo-spatial locations or zones.

FIG. 9 illustrates a timeline for the scenario of FIG. 8. The slots T1to T4 are not necessarily sequential time-slots/sub-frames/time-slots.Similar to the previous model, car 1 and car 2 may create a criticalcommunication transmission and they may do this due to a simultaneoustransmission in a same time-slot, i.e., creating the worst caseunmanaged half-duplex transmission. Cars 3 and 4 may perform relayingtransmission over their overprovision resources or prioritizing thecritical transmission over their own messages.

In other words, FIG. 9 shows a TX-RX timeline showing the urgentcommunication (from car 1 and car 2) coexisting in time and how it isreliably retransmitted via relays (cars 3, 4 and 5). Using time-slotsT2, T3 and T4, the cars 3, 4 and 5 retransmit the messages received fromcars 1 and 2. Therefore, although facing some delay, the messagestransmitted by cars 1 and 2, i.e., apparatus 154 ₁ and 154 ₂ may bedelivered to each other using the relays, i.e., apparatus 154 ₃, 154 ₄and 154 ₅ representing cars 3, 4, 5, respectively.

For supporting the reliable relaying communication, a signaling may beused that may be based on a concept according to FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 10 shows different signaling information (SI) messages and a singlesignal identification concept. The used messages may be according to:

-   -   1. SI1: base station send to devices/vehicles within the        downlink control channel:        -   a) the resource pool and dedicated transmission pools for            critical communication (if possible), e.g., the transmission            pools 107 a and 107 b;        -   b) overprovisioned resources, e.g., as a Boolean variable,            e.g., 0 or 1, where 1 may mean that there are more resource            blocks than the vehicles may use; and/or        -   c) a priority list and/or message priority wait for V2V            critical messages    -   2. SI2: activation/deactivation over-riding message from the        network (i.e., from base station and RSU):        -   a) initially, all the V2X relay-capable UEs start with a            relay-enabled mode as a default mode. Thereafter, once the            device is active, the later can still control the relay            capability to be staying as active or switching it to            inactive, i.e., between state 164 ₁ representing an active            state and state 164 ₂ representing an inactive state, e.g.,            the device being in a deep-sleep, messages 166 ₁, 166 ₂            respectively may be transmitted. Using a message 166 ₁,            which may also be referred to as a connected-inactivation            message/deep-sleep message, the relay or apparatus may be            controlled from the active mode 164 ₁ to the inactive mode            164 ₂. Using the message 166 ₂ which may also be referred to            as connected-activation message/deep-sleep-over message, the            relay may be returned from the inactive mode 164 ₂ to the            active mode 164 ₁.        -   b) in the deep-sleep mode or a power-reservation mode, the            UE may deactivate the relaying automatically;        -   c) once the V2X switches to an idle mode or network            reconnected/in-space connected mode, it may return back to            the default status in which the relay is activated, i.e.,            the state 164 ₁;        -   d) this message overrides the activation to deactivation            once the network wants to override. The overriding message            for relaying capability for critical messages (SI2) may            target individual devices, groups of devices and/or a global            network control. In other words, FIG. 10 shows an            activation/deactivation state machine of an apparatus            according to embodiments.    -   3. SI3: the vehicles, which transmit the critical messages, send        specific control information carried on the sidelink        transmission indicating requirement for ultra-reliability        priority/level and/or a maximum delay/TTL. In general, the RSU        and/or BS may monitor all RX resources, if they are not        transmitting on them for any other UE, i.e., non-sidelink or        non-V2X users as well.    -   4. SI4: the relaying vehicles/devices may change or alter or        modify the relayed message signaling, e.g., if the message is        decoded at the relay, indicating a retransmission event, the        current time to live counter and/or the priority level which may        be reduced or decremented the more it is retransmitted.    -   5. SI5: critical identification: for early indicating messages        at the relaying devices, the vehicle that transmits critical        messages may embed a pattern form, e.g., in the pilot symbols,        identifying that the message is critical. E.g., I/O samples of        the critical messages may be orthogonal on the non-critical        messages. This allows for identification of critical messages        without decoding them.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the SI1 and 2 may be transmitted from thebase station to other nodes, wherein the SI3, SI4 and the criticalidentification, i.e. SI5, may be transmitted between apparatuses 154 ₁and 154 ₂.

Embodiments present a concept having a method and an apparatus toperform reliable communication with a short delay and ultra-reliablefashion for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), device-to-device (D2D) andultra-reliable communication. According to the concept, a more reliableor even guaranteed communication in terms of a robust communication witha very short delay may be achieved by one or more of:

-   -   I—Designing an over-provisioned resource allocation/resource        pool that can be utilized to relay critical information    -   II—Designing a proper DL signaling (for vehicle-to-anything        (V2X)) to utilize over by instructing less critical users to        wave their transmission rights on favour of critically received        messages in the proximity region    -   III—Design a proper UL signaling (for V2X) to inform the        road-side-units (RSU) or base-stations (BSs) of the current V2V        critical transmission activity to for optimized        over-provisioning    -   IV—Design a proper critical message signaling on the level of        the side-links (device-to-device communication or V2V) to be        discovered on these devices and to figure out the necessity of        prioritize and relay these messages from devices/vehicles        capturing them on the RX resource pool    -   V—Propose a spontaneous relay from devices (or vehicles) in the        proximity of the critical communication on earliest possible        transmission slot available for these devices on the TX pool        and/or dedicated emergency/exceptional/critical pool if        possible.

In connection with the retransmission, an appropriate signaling may beused. In order to manage the spontaneous retransmission, multiplesignaling levels have to be created. Those are listed below:

-   -   1—The BS has to dedicate the resource pool and dedicate        dedicated transmission pools for critical communication,        over-provisioned resources, or priority list    -   2—The BS has to activate individual vehicles/devices for being        capable relays in the network. BS can deactivate individual        devices similarly.    -   3—The vehicle which transmits the critical message has to embed        a critical message signaling which can have the criticality        level/priority, used maximum delay, and/or a time-to-live (TTL)        counter. This critical signaling can be embedded by the        critically transmitting users using either:        -   a. Embed a critical level field in the sPSCCH            (physical-sidelink control channel), if control information            will be fully decoded at the relay-UE. This entails waiting            the whole time-slot to decode        -   b. Embed a critical level field inside the data codeword,            i.e., in the sPSDCH (physical-sidelink shared [Data]            channel), if data field will be fully decoded at the            relay-UE. This entails waiting the whole time-slot to decode            and uses encryption/decryption in upper layers key exchange            (or simple key selections from predefined keys used in            critical message transmission        -   c. A fixed modification to the CRC message or extra CRC            messages bits; this also needs full decoding of the received            message codeword.        -   d. Finally, [part of our innovation] changing the pilot            pattern to be able to indicate critical messages. This can            be done by inserting certain pilot pattern (complex IQ            values) that indicates certain pattern. For example:            -   i. Critical pilot pattern: A=1+j, 1−j, −1+j, −1−j, . . .            -   ii. Non-critical pilot pattern: conjugate of A=1−j, 1+j,                −1−j, −1+j, . . .

The embodiments described herein face for a reliable communication,i.e., the invention proposes a reliable retransmission of criticalmessages by allowing the devices in the vicinity of the critical messagetransmission to spontaneously relay the message to all the neighbourhoodincluding the intended receiver.

-   -   a. The relays will indicate the necessity for retransmission as        early as detecting the physical layer symbols or after decoding        the message body. Hence, critical messages can be retransmitted        in the next early transmission event from every possible relay        device.    -   b. The relays can detect the criticality of the message very        early by using: a—early detection pattern, may be embedded in        the reference symbols; b—from the sidelink control information        and signaling after fully decoding the message. Another option        maybe to combine a) and b) and only perform b) if the message is        early identified as a critical message    -   c. The relays may directly relay the message on the next        transmission event, even if it is the next time-slot, on a        symbol-by-symbol basis assuming that the relay will not decode        the critical messages and it will, at best, re-generate the IQ        samples of the detected symbols; one option can be regenerating        samples based on the used modulated constellation.    -   d. Relays can continuously/repeatedly relay the critical message        until either the decrementing time-to-live counter is still        non-zero or the maximum possible delay is still not approached.

All vehicles/network nodes may keep a history of observed distributionof standard retransmissions or retransmissions of critical messages inorder to learn with context about certain situations/trends.

A method for operating an apparatus configured to operate in a wirelesscommunication network by generating and transmitting a first wirelesssignal using a resource element allocated to the apparatus in accordancewith an embodiment comprises determining that the second wireless signalis to be forwarded within the wireless communication network using areceived second wireless signal, and comprises transmitting a thirdwireless signal based on the second wireless signal instead of the firstwireless signal using the allocated resource element of the wirelesscommunication network.

A method for operating an apparatus configured to operate in a wirelesscommunication network by generating and transmitting a first wirelesssignal using a resource element allocated to the apparatus in accordancewith an embodiment comprises generating and transmitting a sidelinksignal through a sidelink channel of the wireless communication network,the sidelink signal indicating a request that the first wireless signalis to be forwarded by a receiving node that is different from theintended receiver of the first wireless signal.

A method for operating a base station configured to operate a wirelesscommunication network cell by allocating resource elements to anapparatus operated by the base station in accordance with an embodimentcomprises receiving, from an apparatus, a request for a first amount ofresource elements for own communication. The method further comprisesallocating, to the apparatus, a second amount of resource elements,wherein the second amount is higher when compared to the first amount.The method further comprises feedbacking the second amount to theapparatus.

Although some aspects have been described in the context of anapparatus, it is clear that these aspects also represent a descriptionof the corresponding method, where a block or device corresponds to amethod step or a feature of a method step. Analogously, aspectsdescribed in the context of a method step also represent a descriptionof a corresponding block or item or feature of a correspondingapparatus.

Depending on certain implementation requirements, embodiments of theinvention can be implemented in hardware or in software. Theimplementation can be performed using a digital storage medium, forexample a floppy disk, a DVD, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROMor a FLASH memory, having electronically readable control signals storedthereon, which cooperate (or are capable of cooperating) with aprogrammable computer system such that the respective method isperformed.

Some embodiments according to the invention comprise a data carrierhaving electronically readable control signals, which are capable ofcooperating with a programmable computer system, such that one of themethods described herein is performed.

Generally, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as acomputer program product with a program code, the program code beingoperative for performing one of the methods when the computer programproduct runs on a computer. The program code may for example be storedon a machine readable carrier.

Other embodiments comprise the computer program for performing one ofthe methods described herein, stored on a machine readable carrier.

In other words, an embodiment of the inventive method is, therefore, acomputer program having a program code for performing one of the methodsdescribed herein, when the computer program runs on a computer.

A further embodiment of the inventive methods is, therefore, a datacarrier (or a digital storage medium, or a computer-readable medium)comprising, recorded thereon, the computer program for performing one ofthe methods described herein.

A further embodiment of the inventive method is, therefore, a datastream or a sequence of signals representing the computer program forperforming one of the methods described herein. The data stream or thesequence of signals may for example be configured to be transferred viaa data communication connection, for example via the Internet.

A further embodiment comprises a processing means, for example acomputer, or a programmable logic device, configured to or adapted toperform one of the methods described herein.

A further embodiment comprises a computer having installed thereon thecomputer program for performing one of the methods described herein.

In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (for example a fieldprogrammable gate array) may be used to perform some or all of thefunctionalities of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, afield programmable gate array may cooperate with a microprocessor inorder to perform one of the methods described herein. Generally, themethods may be performed by any hardware apparatus.

While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments,there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents which will beapparent to others skilled in the art and which fall within the scope ofthis invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternativeways of implementing the methods and compositions of the presentinvention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claimsbe interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, andequivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

1. An apparatus configured to operate in a wireless communicationnetwork by generating and transmitting a first wireless signal using are-source element allocated to the apparatus; wherein the apparatus isconfigured to receive a second wireless signal and to determine that thesecond wireless signal is to be forwarded within the wirelesscommunication network; wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit athird wireless signal based on the second wireless signal instead of thefirst wireless signal using the allocated resource element of thewireless communication network.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theapparatus is configured to evaluate a priority value of the secondwire-less signal; wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit thethird wireless signal instead of the first wireless signal depending onthe priority value being higher than or equal to a priority thresholdvalue.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, for determining thepriority value, the apparatus is configured to perform at least one ofevaluating a critical level field within a physical sidelink controlchannel (PSCCH) of the wireless communication network, the criticallevel field comprising information indicating the priority value;decoding the second wireless signal and evaluating a critical levelfield within the decoded second wireless signal; decoding the secondwireless signal and evaluating a cyclic redundancy with extra criticalinformation of the second wireless signal; and evaluating a pilotpattern of a pilot signal associated with the second wireless signal. 4.The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatus is configured to decodethe second wireless signal and evaluate a cyclic redundancy information,by evaluating a relationship between a content of a cyclic redundancymessage associated with the second wireless signal and a data content ofthe second wireless signal; or by evaluating bits attached to the cyclicredundancy message.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatusis configured to evaluate a pilot pattern of a pilot signal associatedwith the second wireless signal, wherein the apparatus is configured toassociate a first pilot pattern with a signal that comprises thepriority value being higher than or equal to the priority threshold andto associate a second pilot pattern with a signal that comprises thepriority value being lower than the priority threshold.
 6. The apparatusof claim 5, wherein a complex valued representation of the first pilotpattern and of the second pilot pattern vary complementary in the realportion or in the imaginary portion with respect to each other.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to indicate,to a base station, a first amount of resource elements used for owncommunication and to receive a feedback from the base station indicatinga second amount of resource elements allocated to the apparatus, whereinthe second amount is higher when compared to the first amount.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to negotiatewith a base station an amount of resource elements to be allocated tothe apparatus for data communication and to disregard in the negotiationan additional amount of resource elements finally allocated to theapparatus at which a finally allocated amount of resource elementsexceeds a requested amount of resource elements requested by theapparatus in the negotiation.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein theapparatus is configured to transmit, to a base station or a road sideunit, a fourth wireless signal comprising information indicating thesecond amount and/or a portion of the second amount used for forwardinga plurality of wireless signals comprising the third wireless signal.10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured totime selectively operate in a first operation mode in which theapparatus is configured to transmit the third wireless signal instead ofthe first wireless signal using the allocated resource element of thewireless communication network and in a second operation mode in whichthe apparatus is configured to transmit the first wireless signal usingthe allocated resource element.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, whereinthe apparatus is configured to switch between the first operation modeand the second operation mode responsive to a control signal receivedfrom a base station of the wireless communication network.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein, to acquire the third wireless signal, theapparatus is configured to perform at least one of updating a timestampof the second wireless signal; decrease a time-to-live indicator of thesecond wireless signal; and modify an information indicating a priorityvalue relating to a priority of forwarding the second wireless signal soas to reduce the priority value.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe apparatus is configured to discard the second wireless signal fromforwarding by performing at least one of: evaluating a time-to-liveindicator of the second wireless signal and determining that thetime-to-live indicator is to be reduced to zero; evaluating a priorityvalue of the second wireless signal and determining that the priorityvalue is lower than a predetermined priority threshold; and evaluatingthe second wireless signal and determining that the second wirelesssignal was decoded incorrectly.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe apparatus is configured to transmit the first wireless signal usinga different wireless communication resource of the wirelesscommunication network.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theallocated resource element is a time slot or a frequency range used inthe wireless communication network.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the apparatus is configured to receive information from a basestation, the information indicating a pool of resource elementsallocated commonly to a plurality of apparatus for forwarding wirelesssignals, wherein the apparatus is configured to use one resource elementof the pool of resource elements comprising a minimum time delay withrespect to a time of reception of the second wireless signal.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein the resource elements of the pool ofresources are grant free or are to be granted by a base stationoperating a cell of the wireless communication network in which theapparatus is operated.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theapparatus is configured to receive a priority list indicating a prioritythreshold value indicating when to privileging a signal to be forwardedagainst an own signal.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theapparatus is configured to monitor at least one of informationindicating retransmission events; information indicating retransmissionevent locations; information indicating retransmission rate; informationindicating retransmitted packet lengths; information indicating areceived time to live information; and information indicating acriticality level and a Quality of Service; and to provide the monitoredinformation to the base station and/or a centralized controller; or todetermine at least one of a maximum utilization of allocated resourcesor an allocated resource pool; a highly retransmission locations and/orretransmission time events and/or a criticality level over an areawithin the wireless communication network.
 20. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit, using a first resourceelement, a signal and to receive, during a second resource element awireless signal that was sent by a different node during the firstresource element.
 21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus isconfigured to generate and transmit a sidelink signal through a sidelinkchannel of the wireless communication network, the sidelink signalindicating a request that the first wireless signal is to be forwardedby a receiving node that is different from the intended receiver of thefirst wireless signal.
 22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theapparatus is configured to, when transmitting the third wireless signalbased on the second wireless signal instead of the first wireless signalusing the allocated resource element of the wireless communicationnetwork, schedule a transmission of the first wireless signal for asubsequent resource element allocated to the apparatus.
 23. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to derive thethird wireless signal from the second wireless signal via decoding thesecond wireless signal such that the third wireless signal coincides, indata content, with the second wireless signal.
 24. An apparatusconfigured to operate in a wireless communication network by generatingand transmitting a first wireless signal using a resource elementallocated to the apparatus; wherein the apparatus is configured togenerate and transmit a signal indicating a request that the firstwireless signal is to be forwarded by a receiving node that is differentfrom the intended receiver of the first wireless signal.
 25. Theapparatus of claim 24, wherein the apparatus is configured to transmitthe signal through a sidelink channel of the wireless communicationnetwork.
 26. The apparatus of one of claim 24, wherein the apparatus isconfigured to receive a second wireless signal and to determine that thesecond wireless signal is to be forwarded within the wirelesscommunication network; wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit athird wireless signal based on the second wireless signal instead of thefirst wireless signal using the allocated resource element of thewireless communication network.
 27. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe apparatus is one of a user equipment, a mobile set, a car apparatus,device-to-device, an Internet-of-Things device and a roadside unit. 28.A base station configured to operate a wireless communication networkcell by allocating resource elements to an apparatus operated by thebase station, wherein the base station is configured to receive, from anapparatus a request for a first amount of resource elements for owncommunication; wherein the base station is configured to allocate, tothe apparatus, a second amount of resource elements, wherein the secondamount is higher when compared to the first amount; and wherein the basestation is configured to feedback the second amount to the apparatus.29. The base station of claim 28, wherein the base station is configuredto negotiate, with the apparatus, the first amount dependent on aresource requirement of the apparatus and to administrate the firstamount for transmissions of the apparatus, wherein the base station isfurther configured to allocate, to the apparatus, additional resourceelements for forwarding messages in the network so as to determine thesecond amount, wherein the base station is configured to adapt theamount of the additional resource elements dependent on an amount offorwarding messages in the network.
 30. The base station of claim 28,wherein the base station is configured to receive a wireless signalcomprising information indicating the second amount and/or a portion ofthe second amount used for forwarding a plurality of wireless signals.31. The base station of claim 30, wherein the base station is configuredto perform an evaluation of the received wireless signal and to performone of a deep-learning, a machine learning and a stochastic learningusing a result of the evaluation so as to adapt the second amount. 32.The base station of claim 28, wherein the base station is configured toreceive at least one of information indicating retransmission events;information indicating retransmission even locations; informationindicating retransmission rate; information indicating retransmittedpacket lengths; information indicating a received time to liveinformation; and information indicating a criticality level and aQuality of Service; and to determine at least one of a maximumutilization of allocated resources or an allocated resource pool; ahighly retransmission locations and/or retransmission time events, acriticality level over an area within the wireless communicationnetwork, a suitable resource overprovisioning around the clock and fordifferent zonal access, a need to activate or deactivate retransmissionand/or a critical zone to update vehicles speed around the clock. 33.The base station of claim 28, wherein the base station is configured toadapt the second amount responsive to information indicating the secondamount and/or a portion of the second amount used for forwarding aplurality of wireless signals.
 34. The base station of claim 28, whereinthe base station is configured to allocate a pool of resource elementscommonly to a plurality of apparatus for forwarding wireless signals.35. The base station of claim 34, wherein the base station is configuredto allocate the pool of resource elements such that the resourceelements of the pool of resources are grant free or are to be granted bythe base station operating.
 36. The base station of claim 28, whereinthe base station is configured to globally within the operated networkcell or to device-individually control an apparatus so as to timeselectively operate in a first operation mode in which the apparatus isconfigured to forward a wireless signal instead of an own wirelesssignal using an allocated resource element of the wireless communicationnetwork and in a second operation mode in which the apparatus isconfigured to transmit the own wireless signal using the allocatedresource element.
 37. The base station of claim 28, wherein the basestation is configured to use a downlink control channel of the wirelesscommunication network cell between the base station and the apparatus ora sidelink control channel of the wireless communication network cellbetween apparatuses within the wireless communication network cell forsignaling to the apparatus, the second amount.
 38. The base station ofclaim 28, wherein the base station is configured to transmit, to theapparatus, a priority list indicating a priority threshold valueindicating when to privileging a signal to be forwarded against an ownsignal.
 39. A wireless network comprising: at least one apparatusaccording to claim 1; at least a first transmitter configured totransmit a first message using a resource element and a secondtransmitter configured to transmit a second message using the resourceelement; wherein the apparatus is configured to receive the firstmessage as the second wireless signal and to transmit the first messageas the third wireless signal using a different resource element.
 40. Awireless network comprising: at least one apparatus according to claim24; at least a first transmitter configured to transmit a first messageusing a resource element and a second transmitter configured to transmita second message using the resource element; wherein the apparatus isconfigured to receive the first message as the second wireless signaland to transmit the first message as the third wireless signal using adifferent resource element.
 41. The wireless network of claim 39 furthercomprising a base station configured to operate a wireless communicationnetwork cell by allocating resource elements to an apparatus operated bythe base station, wherein the base station is configured to receive,from an apparatus a request for a first amount of resource elements forown communication; wherein the base station is configured to allocate,to the apparatus, a second amount of resource elements, wherein thesecond amount is higher when compared to the first amount; and whereinthe base station is configured to feedback the second amount to theapparatus.
 42. The wireless network of claim 41, comprising a pluralityof apparatus configured to operate in a wireless communication networkby generating and transmitting a first wireless signal using a re-sourceelement allocated to the apparatus; wherein the apparatus is configuredto receive a second wireless signal and to determine that the secondwireless signal is to be forwarded within the wireless communicationnetwork; wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit a thirdwireless signal based on the second wireless signal instead of the firstwireless signal using the allocated resource element of the wirelesscommunication network, wherein the base station is configured toreceive, from the plurality of apparatus a corresponding plurality ofrequests for a first amount of resource elements for own communicationand to assign a second amount of resource elements comprising the firstamount and a pool of additional resource elements to the plurality ofapparatus.
 43. The wireless network of claim 39, wherein the firsttransmitter and/or the second transmitter is an apparatus configured tooperate in a wireless communication network by generating andtransmitting a first wireless signal using a re-source element allocatedto the apparatus; wherein the apparatus is configured to receive asecond wireless signal and to determine that the second wireless signalis to be forwarded within the wireless communication network; whereinthe apparatus is configured to transmit a third wireless signal based onthe second wireless signal instead of the first wireless signal usingthe allocated resource element of the wireless communication network.44. A method for operating an apparatus configured to operate in awireless communication network by generating and transmitting a firstwireless signal using a resource element allocated to the apparatus, themethod comprising: determining that the second wireless signal is to beforwarded within the wireless communication network using a receivedsecond wireless signal; transmitting a third wireless signal based onthe second wireless signal instead of the first wireless signal usingthe allocated resource element of the wireless communication network.45. A method for operating an apparatus configured to operate in awireless communication network by generating and transmitting a firstwireless signal using a resource element allocated to the apparatus, themethod comprising: generating and transmitting a sidelink signal througha sidelink channel of the wireless communication network, the sidelinksignal indicating a request that the first wireless signal is to beforwarded by a receiving node that is different from the intendedreceiver of the first wireless signal.
 46. A method for operating a basestation configured to operate a wireless communication network cell byallocating resource elements to an apparatus operated by the basestation, the method comprising: receiving, from an apparatus, a requestfor a first amount of resource elements for own communication;allocating, to the apparatus, a second amount of resource elements,wherein the second amount is higher when compared to the first amount;and feedbacking the second amount to the apparatus.
 47. A non-transitorydigital storage medium having stored thereon a program for performing amethod for operating an apparatus configured to operate in a wirelesscommunication network by generating and transmitting a first wirelesssignal using a resource element allocated to the apparatus, the methodcomprising: determining that the second wireless signal is to beforwarded within the wireless communication network using a receivedsecond wireless signal; transmitting a third wireless signal based onthe second wireless signal instead of the first wireless signal usingthe allocated resource element of the wireless communication network,when said computer program is run by a computer.
 48. A non-transitorydigital storage medium having stored thereon a program for performing amethod for operating an apparatus configured to operate in a wirelesscommunication network by generating and transmitting a first wirelesssignal using a resource element allocated to the apparatus, the methodcomprising: generating and transmitting a sidelink signal through asidelink channel of the wireless communication network, the sidelinksignal indicating a request that the first wireless signal is to beforwarded by a receiving node that is different from the intendedreceiver of the first wireless signal, when said computer program is runby a computer.
 49. A non-transitory digital storage medium having storedthereon a program for performing a method for operating a base stationconfigured to operate a wireless communication network cell byallocating resource elements to an apparatus operated by the basestation, the method comprising: receiving, from an apparatus, a requestfor a first amount of resource elements for own communication;allocating, to the apparatus, a second amount of resource elements,wherein the second amount is higher when compared to the first amount;and feedbacking the second amount to the apparatus, when said computerprogram is run by a computer.